NAVARRETTE: THE GUEST WORKER POISON PILL

We’ve seen this before – in 2006 and 2007 – when Congress previously attempted immigration reform. Back then, as you’ll recall, Americans argued at the top of their lungs over whether to legalize the undocumented. It got ugly. But when compromise bills went down in flames – due to an unholy alliance between pro-labor Democrats and nativist Republicans, neither of whom was thrilled by the prospect of legalizing millions of undocumented immigrants – it was entirely because of guest workers.

In 2007, Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., proposed an amendment designed to kill an immigration reform bill by removing language calling for guest workers. Followers of the legislation knew that this would eliminate Republican support for the bill, and that Democrats were splintered and thus didn’t have the votes to carry the bill over the finish line on their own. The Dorgan amendment passed the Senate by a vote of 49-48. The language on guest workers came out. Republicans retreated. And sure enough, the bill died.

Six years later, note that one thing missing from the White House immigration plan is any mention of guest workers. This should come as no surprise to those who have been paying attention.

Among those voting in favor of the Dorgan amendment was a young Democratic senator from Illinois named Barack Obama. Promises and pretty words notwithstanding, he was against immigration reform then and he’s not serious about it now.

Navarrette, a Carlsbad resident whose column is syndicated by The Washington Post Writers Group, can be reached at ruben@rubennavarrette.com